Tour Overview‘Selamat datang!’ Welcome to Borneo! A very memorable birding and wildlife experience awaits you!Borneo island, in the geographical centre of southeast Asia, is incredibly rich in biodiversity. It has almost 15,000 species of flowering plants (including Rafflesia, the largest flowering plant in the world) along with 3,000 species of trees, 440 species of freshwater fish, almost 300 reptilian species, 280 species of mammals and almost 700 species of resident and migratory birds (including over 60 endemic and range-restricted species, and 200 endemic subspecies). Borneo shares some of its resident forest birds with Indochina, but amazingly Australian and African influences are also evident.
Borneo covers an area of 743,330 km2 (287,000 sq mi) with many distinctly different biomes, allowing for a wide range of fauna and flora. The WWF has classified the island into seven distinct ecoregions, including montane and lowland rainforests, mangrove swamp forests, as well as peat swamp forests on the entire coastline. The rainforests are especially important, and at an estimated 140 million years old, is said to be the oldest such forest in the world.
Some fantastic and utterly unique species inhabit these ancient forests and the island’s other ecoregions. These include Bornean Orangutan, Bornean Bristlehead, 9 species of barbet, 16 different woodpeckers, 8 broadbill species, Sumatran Rhinoceros, 6 species of trogon, 8 different hornbills, 10 stunning pitta species, Bornean Clouded Leopard, along with some truly bizarre but wonderful flora and smaller fauna species.
From unique wildlife to untouched jungle, few places can match the natural drama of Borneo. With breathtaking natural attractions, friendly local people, amazing wildlife, delicious food and of course incredible birds, Borneo is a favourite for everyone who visits it. Get ready for a birding trip of a lifetime!
Get more detail about what to expect on this tour: Go to full itinerary
Tour starts and ends in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Province, Malaysian Borneo
Tour duration: 14 days / 13 nights
Type of accommodation: Comfortable, mid-range
Next departure dates: July 2024
Private and small group, customised safaris can be booked on request for your preferred travel dates
Kinabalu National Park-
Protects mythical Mount Kinabalu, along with over 320 bird species that often travel in spectacular feeding parties
Kabili-Sepilok Forest Reserve-
Virgin equatorial rainforest that is home to Bornean Orangutans, Sun Bears, rare plants and some spectacular avian wonders
Sukau-
Beautiful riverine forests, the fascinating Gomantong caves, amazing birds and the best lodge in all of Borneo
Tabin Wildlife Reserve-
Stunning lowland rainforests brimming with endangered mammals and 42 different bird families
Danum Valley Conservation Area-
Unspoiled wilderness area with vast numbers of fauna and flora, including 270 bird species, and another top class lodge
Top Birds:
• Bornean Ground Cuckoo
• Crimson-headed and Red-breasted Partridge
• Rhinoceros, Helmeted, Wrinkled and Wreathed Hornbill
• Black, White-crowned and Oriental Pied Hornbill
• Whitehead’s, Diard’s and Orange-breasted Trogon
• Scarlet-rumped and Red-naped Trogon
• Golden-naped, Mountain and Bornean Barbet
• Blue-headed, Bornean Banded and Giant Pitta
• Black-crowned, Blue-banded and Hooded Pitta
• Whitehead’s, Hose’s and Green Broadbill
• Banded and Black-and-yellow Broadbill
• Everett’s Thrush
• Whitehead’s and Bornean Spiderhunter
• Fruithunter
• Black-sided Flowerpecker
• Bornean Whistler
• Friendly Bush Warbler
Top Mammals:
• Bornean Orangutan
• Proboscis Monkey
• Asian (“Bornean Pygmy”) Elephant
• Sumatran Rhinoceros (with lots of luck)
• Sun Bear
• Sunda Clouded Leopard
• Leopard Cat
• Hose’s Civet
Optional Activities:
• Night game drive in Tabin Wildlife Reserve
Night excursion in Danum Valley Conservation Area
| ITINERARY OVERVIEW |
|---|
| Day 1 | Arrival in Borneo |
|---|---|
| Day 2 & 3 | Kinabalu National Park |
| Day 4 | Poring & Sepilok (Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre) |
| Day 5 | Sepilok (Rainforest Discovery Centre) |
| Day 6 | Sepilok to Sukau |
| Day 7&8 | Sukau |
| Day 9 | Sukau to Tabin Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 10 | Tabin Wildlife Reserve |
| Day 11 | Tabin to Danum Valley |
| Day 12 & 13 | Danum Valley |
| Day 14 | Danum to Kota Kinabalu (via flight from Lahad Datu); departure from Borneo |
All our tours can be customised according to your specific requirements.
Get in touch with one of our team members for more information at info@naturetravelbirding.com